Finance Report Summary: Amarillo College Board Candidates

The six candidates running in the May 6 Amarillo College Board of Regents election filed their campaign finance reports on Thursday, giving voters their first glimpse into who’s ahead in the race to raise.

According to Amarillo College, all six candidates who will be appearing on the ballot — challengers Brady Clark, Irene Hughes, Mike Yazbek, and Jason Foglesong and incumbents Jay Barrett and Michele Fortunato — filed their campaign finance reports by the deadline. A seventh candidate, Stephanie Pena, filed for the ballot but withdrew in time for her name to be removed from consideration, meaning that no campaign finance report was filed for her campaign.

Here is an overview of each candidate’s fundraising:

Michele Fortunato, incumbent

The top fundraiser during the reporting period running from January 1 through March 27 was Fortunato, who raised $6,173.18 for her campaign. Fortunato’s top donor was Mary Bearden and Sterling Adams, who gave $500 to her campaign. Fortunato also received a number of $250 donations, rounding out her top contributions.

Among her notable contributions was a $250 contribution from former Amarillo Mayor Paul Harpole, who is also listed as Fortunato’s treasurer this election cycle. Fortunato also received contributions from three current members of the AC Board of Regents — Johnny Mize, David Woodburn, and Anette Carlisle — and a contribution from former board member Patrick Miller.

For Fortunato’s expenditures, she reported just under $2,400 in expenses, with her largest expense being $1020.46 to Panhandle Presort Services for printing. Fortunato also reported an expense of $902.50 to a Florida-based company for yard signs.

As for her campaign’s overall financial state, Fortunato reported maintaining $3,695.62 in cash-on-hand, while also owing herself $2,500 in loans.

Mary “Irene” Hughes, challenger

Challenger Irene Hughes reported having the second-most money raised during the most recent reporting cycle, pulling in $5,461 for her campaign. According to her finance report, Hughes’ top contributions were a $2,500 check from businessman Alex Fairly and a $1,000 donation from Marion Rushing.

For Hughes’ expenditures, she reported her top expenditure in the amount of $866.75 to UZ Marketing for yard signs. Hughes also had a few other expenditures for printing expenses.

As for her campaign’s overall financial state, Hughes reported owing herself $2,500 in loans and did not report the amount of money she has on hand.

Jason Foglesong, challenger

Educator Jason Foglesong brought in the third-largest contribution haul for his campaign, reporting $2,800 in donations. Foglesong’s top contribution came from businessman Alex Fairly in the amount of $2,500, while Winston and Cathy Curtis also donated $300.

For his expenditures, Foglesong reported his top expense in the amount of $293.21 for yard signs from Super Cheap Signs. Foglesong also reported a handful of other smaller expenditures, including expenses for printing, fundraising, and consulting.

As for his campaign’s financial state, Foglesong reported holding $2,376 in the bank with $0 in loans owed.

Brady Clark, challenger

Brady Clark brought in the fourth-largest contribution share for his campaign, raising $2,790 during the most recent reporting period. His largest contribution came in the amount of $500 from Shelley Chaloupka. Clark also reported a donation from incumbent AC Regent David Woodburn and former board member Patrick Miller.

For his expenditures, Clark’s largest expense was in the amount of $959 to XI-Eleven Marketing for yard signs. Clark also reported an expense of $18.58 to PayPal for processing fees.

As for the financial state of his campaign, Clark reported $1,762.12 in cash on hand and $0 in loans owed.

Mike Yazbek, challenger

Mike Yazbek, a knife sharpener and Republican activist, raised $100 for his campaign during the reporting cycle. Yazbek donated $50 to his campaign, while his treasurer, attorney Sam Brown Silverman, donated the other $50.

As for the financial state of his campaign, Yazbek reported maintaining the full $100 in cash on hand, with $0 in loans owed.

Jay L. Barrett, incumbent

Jay Barrett is seeking his second full term on the Board of Regents this cycle and brought in the lowest share of contributions during the most recent reporting cycle. In fact, Barrett reported $0 in contributions.

As for his expenditures, Barrett reported $1,569.28 in expenses from his personal funds. His largest expense was to Signs on the Cheap in the amount of $1,009.32 for yard signs.

Barrett reported $0 in cash on hand and $0 in loans owed.

The next campaign finance reports filed by the candidates are required to be turned in on Friday, April 28. This will be the final campaign finance report turned in before Election Day on May 6 and will cover most of the fundraising and expenditures by candidates through April.